You can become a relationship banker with minimal or no banking experience, but you will need to pass a background check and learn the bank's systems on the job.
Banks hire relationship bankers (also called personal bankers or account executives) from outside the industry regularly. Most positions require a high school diploma or GED, not banking credentials. The bank trains you on products, compliance, and their software after you are hired. What matters more is your ability to listen to customers, remember details about their finances, and follow up on their needs.
The catch is that you start with entry-level pay and a probationary period where the bank watches whether you can handle the role. You will also need to pass a background check and, depending on the bank and your state, obtain a securities license or banking license—but the bank usually pays for that training and the exam fees.
Key Takeaways
- Most banks do not require prior banking experience to hire a relationship banker; a high school diploma and a clean background check are the baseline requirements.
- You will need to obtain a Series 7 or Series 65 securities license if you handle investments, and some states require a banking license—the bank typically covers the cost and study time.
- Relationship banker roles start at entry level with pay between $28,000 and $38,000 annually, depending on location and the bank's size.
- The first 90 days to six months are usually a probationary period where the bank assesses whether you can build customer relationships and meet sales targets.
- Banks value customer service experience, attention to detail, and the ability to learn their systems quickly over prior financial knowledge.
What banks actually look for when hiring relationship bankers
Banks care less about what you know about finance and more about whether you can talk to people and remember what they tell you. A relationship banker's job is to understand a customer's financial goals—saving for a home, planning retirement, managing cash flow for a small business—and recommend the bank's products that fit those goals. You do not need to be an expert in mortgages or investment accounts before day one.
What banks do look for: reliability (you show up on time), the ability to follow procedures (compliance is strict in banking), and comfort with technology (you will use multiple software systems). Customer service experience from retail, hospitality, or phone support counts heavily. So does any role where you managed details, kept records, or handled money—cashier, bookkeeper, administrative assistant.
A clean background check is non-negotiable. Banks run a criminal background check, a credit check, and sometimes a motor vehicle report. A felony conviction or recent fraud-related charges will disqualify you. A poor personal credit score may raise questions but does not always disqualify you, especially if you can explain it.
Licenses and certifications you will need to obtain
The specific licenses depend on what products you sell and your state's rules. If you only handle deposit accounts (checking, savings, CDs), you may not need any license beyond what the bank requires internally. If you recommend or sell investment products, mutual funds, or annuities, you will need a Series 7 (General Securities Representative) or Series 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam) license.
Some states require a banking license or mortgage license if you discuss mortgages or other credit products. Your employer will tell you which licenses apply to your role and will usually pay for the exam prep course and the exam fee itself (typically $100 to $300 per exam). You study on your own time, often using materials the bank provides or recommends, and take the exam at a testing center.
The Series 7 takes most people 50 to 100 hours of study and covers securities rules, products, and ethics. The Series 65 is shorter and focuses on investment adviser regulations. Most banks give you 30 to 90 days to pass the exam after you are hired. If you do not pass on your first try, you can retake it, and the bank usually covers that cost too.
The hiring process and what to expect in your first months
The application and interview process is similar to retail or customer service roles. You submit a resume and cover letter online or in person, interview with a branch manager or regional hiring manager, and may do a second interview with a district manager. Some banks use phone or video screening first. The entire process typically takes two to four weeks from application to job offer.
Once hired, you enter a probationary period—usually 90 days to six months—where the bank trains you on its systems, products, and policies. You shadow experienced bankers, take online compliance courses, and learn how to use the bank's customer relationship management (CRM) software and core banking platform. You will also be assigned sales targets: a number of new accounts to open, a dollar amount of deposits to bring in, or a number of customers to cross-sell additional products to each month.
During probation, the bank is assessing whether you can meet those targets and whether you fit the culture. If you do not, they can let you go without cause. If you do, you move into a regular role with benefits may be able to access, job security, and a clearer path to advancement (such as senior relationship banker or branch manager).
Pay, benefits, and advancement from a relationship banker role
Entry-level relationship banker pay ranges from $28,000 to $38,000 annually, depending on the bank's size, your location, and local cost of living. Larger banks and urban areas pay more. Regional banks and rural branches pay less. Most positions include health insurance, a 401(k) with employer match, paid time off, and employee discounts on banking products.
Advancement usually means moving to a senior relationship banker role (higher pay, larger customer portfolio, more complex accounts) or into management (branch manager, assistant manager). Some bankers move into specialized roles like commercial banking, wealth management, or mortgage lending. Each step typically requires one to three years in your current role and sometimes an additional certification.
The job can also be a stepping stone. If you want to move into loan origination, underwriting, compliance, or operations, a relationship banker role gives you the banking knowledge and internal connections to make that move within two to three years.
Common obstacles and how to overcome them
The biggest obstacle is the probationary sales target. If you come from a non-sales background, hitting deposit or cross-sell numbers can feel uncomfortable at first. The solution is to ask your manager for coaching and to focus on listening to customers rather than pushing products. Relationship bankers who succeed are the ones who ask good questions and recommend only what actually fits the customer's situation.
A second obstacle is the compliance and regulatory environment. Banking has strict rules about what you can say to customers, how you document conversations, and how you handle sensitive information. If you are detail-oriented and willing to follow procedures, this is manageable. If you find rules frustrating, banking may not be the right fit.
A third obstacle is customer-facing stress. You handle complaints, difficult conversations about overdrafts or denied credit, and long lines during busy hours. If you have worked in customer service before, you know how to manage this. If not, ask your manager about stress management resources or employee assistance programs—most banks offer them.
How to stand out as a candidate with no banking background
In your resume and interview, emphasize any experience managing customer relationships, handling details, or working with numbers. Highlight customer service awards, promotions, or positive feedback. If you have used financial products yourself—opened a savings account, paid off a loan, invested in a 401(k)—mention that you understand the customer perspective.
In the interview, ask thoughtful questions about the bank's products, the customer base, and what success looks like in the first 90 days. Show that you understand the role is about building trust with customers, not just selling. Banks hire people who are curious and coachable over people who already know everything.
If you are applying to a specific branch, visit it beforehand and observe how the bankers interact with customers. In your interview, reference something you noticed—"I saw how your team took time with customers at the desk" or "I noticed the branch focuses on small business accounts." This shows you did your homework and care about the specific role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a college degree to become a relationship banker?
No. Most banks require a high school diploma or GED. Some larger banks prefer some college coursework or an associate degree, but it is not mandatory. If you have customer service or retail experience instead, that often counts equally.
What if I have a criminal record or poor credit?
A felony conviction, especially one involving fraud or theft, will likely disqualify you. Misdemeanors are evaluated case by case. Poor personal credit may raise questions, but banks sometimes hire people with credit issues if you can explain the circumstances and show you are managing it now. Be honest on the application—banks find out anyway.
How long does it take to move up from relationship banker to a better-paying role?
Most banks expect you to stay in an entry-level relationship banker role for 18 to 36 months before promoting you to senior banker or management. Advancement depends on meeting sales targets, customer satisfaction scores, and your manager's assessment of your readiness. Some people move faster; others plateau.
Can I work part-time as a relationship banker?
Some banks offer part-time relationship banker roles, but they are less common than full-time positions. Part-time roles usually have lower pay and fewer benefits. Ask during the interview whether part-time is available for the specific branch or role you are interested in.
What happens if I fail the securities license exam?
You can retake it. Most banks allow two or three attempts before they reassign you to a role that does not require the license or let you go. The bank usually covers retake fees. Study harder the second time, use different prep materials, or ask your manager for tutoring resources.